MCAL power rankings after Week 8

What a zany weekend in the MCAL. Here is how much I knew in my last rankings. My 7 through 9 from last week (San Marin, San Rafael, and Terra Linda, which had a bye week) combined for 0 losses and my 3 through 5 teams all lost. I thought it was going to get easier and easier as the season progressed to figure out where teams stacked up, but I’m as confused as ever as we get later into the year. As crazy is 3 through 9 is, though, 1 and 2 are clear. Marin Catholic and Novato have separated themselves from the rest of the pack and Marin football fans should be circling Nov. 15 on their calendars and descending on Novato High for the game in three weeks that could be truly epic. I suppose theoretically Tam or Drake could upset MC before the big game with the Hornets, but I’m not feeling it, especially as those two teams lost to San Marin and San Rafael, respectively, today. Novato will not lose. If I were a betting man, I’d take Novato and the points against MC … but the lead up the that game will be exciting. I hope MC stays undefeated (for the purposes of buildup). Looking past MC and Novato, I’m intrigued by the emergence of the sophomore Ryan (Baby Zirk) Zirkle at San Marin, who threw for over 300 yards against Tam. My rankings are after the jump:
1. Novato (6-2, 5-0): I predicted Justin might play Novato close and I was right … for a half. Truth be told, the Hornets are simply in another atmosphere than anyone, even MC.

2. Marin Catholic (5-2, 4-0): Imagine what the score would have looked like if MC didn’t commit 11 penalties for 130 yards against Redwood? It was 28-6 with all of those mistakes. Against Novato, there will be no such margin for error (I know, I know, I’m looking past Tam and Drake). Ken Peralta, for the record, is not. He emphasized that MC respects Tam and will not be looking past them. I will. That’s why he’s the coach and I’m not.

3. Justin-Siena (4-4, 2-3): I know, I’m moving them up after losing by 30, but they kept it close until halftime. I think they’ll win the rest of their games too, which would put them at 4-3, which very well could be third place.

4. San Marin (3-4, 3-2): Has Baby-Z fever officially hit Northern Novato? I would like to know the last time a SM quarterback threw for over 300 yards. I doubt it has happened in the last two years. Baby-Z might find out fairly soon though the difference between a Red-tailed Hawk and a Hornet? Hint, one stings a lot more.

T5. Redwood (4-3, 1-3): Big time cop-out by me, especially since Redwood and Tam will never play each other so this tie can never be broken on the field. Redwood can’t jump offsides five times on defense and win many games. I’m sure that will be a point of emphasis in practice. The funny thing is, if they made a few plays in the third quarter, the game was within reach against MC.

T5. Tam (5-2, 2-1): I’m very surprised Tam couldn’t hold down the fort against San Marin…but I feel like I can’t adequately judge the Hawks since I still haven’t seen them in person (only them and TL remain off my radar).

T7. San Rafael (1-6, 1-3): I’m looking forward to covering the Bell Game this Friday. Let’s see if SR can build anything off an impressive win over Drake, a week after they were the laughingstock of the league after a “Pop Warner offense” put up 42 points on them.

T7. Drake (4-3, 1-3): Whenever I see Drake in person, I’m pretty impressed. Then I can’t believe my ears when I hear about how they play. Consistency is hard to come by in a program where you are just starting to turn things around like Dan Kenilvort is. They are still in the playoff race and it’d be nice to see them make it.

9. Terra Linda (0-7, 0-4): Ideally for the Trojans, the bye week would have come about 3 weeks earlier.